Step plate



wmf/73 Aug 5'-, 1924.

F. H. STANWOOD STEP PLATE File'd Feb. 21.4 1921 jig-1 Patented Aug. 5, 1924.

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FRANK STANWU'UD, .OF WILMETTE, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO STANWOOD EQUIP- MENT COMPANY, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

STEP PLATE.

Application filed February 21, 1921.

the embodiment of the invention hereinafter which it is incorporated.

Another and highly important object of the invention is the provision of a step plate of this character, which will, by reason of its construction, have extraordinary durability. The invention contemplates in this .regard further the construction of the step in such fashion that moderate wear will not ,mar the appearance and require the step to be discarded while, except for the appearance, it is still in usable shape.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is lbetter understood from the following de scription, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawing,

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a step embodying my present invention; p

Fig. 2 is a section taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. l; and

Fig. 3 is a section taken substantially on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

For the purposes of illustrating my invention I have shown on the drawing a railway car step, in which it is embodied. This step has at one end, as will be noted, a curved part adapted to fit the car body, although it will be readily understood, of course, that other shapes may be provided.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, reference character 11 designates the usual riser having at the top the usual turned-in fiange 12. And reference character ldesignates side plates Serial No. 446.786.

fastened in suitable fashion to the car step hanger wall and having also turned in flanges 14 at the tops. Upon these supports I provide the step or tread in which my invention is embodied. This step or tread comprises a metal plate 15 having a downturned flange 16 atv its rear side and adually downturned flange 17 at the ront. This flange at the front may be formed in the curved shape shown on the drawing or otherwise to provide the desired nosing.

The plate is preferably entirely envelo ed `in some vulcanizable material as rub er forming an undercoating 18 and an upper coating 19 joined at their ends or edges as at 21 at the front, back and sides. Upstanding, isolated ribs 22 are arranged on the top covering 19 and forms a part thereof and these ribs are shown in the present instance as arranged in parallelism. Over the metal nosing or gradually downturned flan 17 is provided a rubber nosing 23 forming a part of the upper covering and gradually thickened over the front of the nosing to a point back of its top to a height equal to or slightly greater than ribs 22 and this nosing is preferably corrugated slightly as shown at 24. The vulcanizable material is preferably corrugated slightly as shown at 24. The vulcanizable material is preferably caused to bond with the metal plate 1 5 by flashing or dirting the plate with copper prior to the vulcanization of the rubber so that firm bond adherence results between the covering and the metal.

This plate is self-cleaning since the spaces between the ribs are entirely open and the jarring of the vehicle in service causes an dirt collected to work out and be discharge Should, however, these spaces become clogged it is a relatively easy matter to brush out the dirt toward either end. The ribs being upstanding and isolated, i. e. not reinforced by cross connecting ribs, present minimum opportunity of slipping by persons stepping upon them, and effectively clean the shoe.

Appreciable wear can occur by reason of the thickened nosing at the frontwithout detracting materially from the appearance of the step and it will be manifest that the article provided, the rubber being of reasonably good material, will be durable in service.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be a parent that various changes may be made 1n the form, construction and arrangement of the arts without departing from the spirit and) scope of the invention or sacricing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described belng merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

1. A step for automobiles, railway cars, and the like, comprising a metal step member having flanged edges, su ports for the same, a complete coating o? vulcanizable material above and beneath the same and entirely enveloping it, the upper coating being provided with upstanding, isolated ribs.

2. A step for automobiles, railway cars and the like, comprising a metal plate having downwardly extending front and rear Hanges, a rubber covering entirely enveloping said plate and being vulcanized thereto, said covering having upstanding isolated ribs .pn its upper part.

3. A step for automobiles, railway cars, and the like, comprising a plate entirely enveloped in a vulcanizing material and having a gradually downturned iange at its front and a limiting flange at the rear, said covering having upstanding ribs on its upper side and -a thickened nosing above said downturned ange.

4. A step for automobiles, railway cars, and the like, comprising a metal step member having downturned front and rear flanges, a rubber covering over said flan es and over the top of said plate, and provi ed with upstanding .ribs above said plate. 5. A step for automobiles, railway cars and the like, comprising a metal step member having downturned front t and rear flanges, a rubber ,covering over said lian and over the top of said plate, and provifd with upstanding ribs above said plate, said covering being vulcanized to the material of said plate and adhering thereto by reason of said vulcanization.

FRANK H. STANWOOD. 

